Padlock



Sept. 17, 1929. I N Q JOHNSQN 1,728,612

PADLOCK Filed Dec. 4, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet l Sept. 17, 1929. N. G. JoHNsoN PADLOCK Filed Deo. 4, 1926 2 sheets-sheet 2 lll u 'mlmu u .kvuhid lllmul /fy il" 1.,

Patented Sept. 17, 1929 UNITED [STATES NELS G. JOHNSON, F OAK PARK, ILLINOIS rAnLocn:y i.

Application led December 4, 1926. iSera No. 152,581..

This invention relates to padlocks and is fully described in the following specification and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through a padlock embodying the invention, showingt-he same locked; .y l

Fig. 2 is a transverse of Fig. 1; A

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the same in unlocked position preparatory to removing the shackle;

Fig. 4 is a top lplan view of the removable locking member; f

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section through the same on the line 5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a det-ail oi' the key and locking member similar to that portion of Fig. 1, but showing the key completely inserted; and

Fig. 7 is a detail view of the shackle partly in section taken on the line 7 of Fig. 3.

The embodiment illustrated comprises a lock having a body 10 in which are formed two parallel openings 11 and'12, which are section on the line 2 drilled nearly through the same and whichA are adapted to receive the two ends of the U-shaped shackle member 13. The shackle is made symmetrical so that either end of the shackle may be placed in either of the openings 11 and 12. y

The shackle is provided with oppositely arranged notches 14, and which are adapted to register with steel balls 15, the latter being loosely retained in pockets 16 so that they may be retracted as shown in Fig. 3 to permit the shackle' 13 to be withdrawn.

The body 1() is provided with a central opening 17, into which is tightly driven or otherwise securely held a plug 18which is preferably stopped by an annular ledge 19. This plug is hollow and is threaded to receive a locking member 20. The locking member 20 also is drilled axially to receive the rotatable member21; A spring 22 bears at one end upon the rotatable member 21 and at the other upon a sleeve 23 which is rotatably mounted in the plug 18.

A key 24 'is provided having a shank 25 and an extension `26, which is cut at a sharp angle atl its outer end as shown in Fig. 1 for a purpose whichwill now be explained. The extension 26' is illustrated as being square,

. but, if desired may be pentagonahhexagonal, flat, rectangular and kthe like, in order to cause it y,to t snugly into a similar shaped opening 27 inthelocking member 20. For the key 24 toturnthe locking member 20, it is necessary kfor theextension `26k to` be forced intol the opening 27. f y

From the foregoing vit, will be that, in order to prevent this lock from being picked, itis necessary that some provision be made to prevent any one without the proper key from getting into the opening 27 y This Ihave accomplished yby providing a steel ball 28 which ordinarily is held in front of'theopening 27 by means of a spring 29. The purpose of the tapered end of the key 24 is now apparent.` yOn inserting this key y" this tapered end strikes the ball 28 and the key is revolved, the operator meanwhile pressing inwardly ony the key until the tapered portion` is turned so as to force the ball 28 to one side against the action ofthe spring 29. The key can then be forced past the ball so that the extension 26 substantially fills the opening 27.

understood Vith the key in place as shown in F the locking member 20 can be turned so as to screw it into ythe plug 18, until eventually it will assume the position of Fig. 3.L When in the position shown in Fig. 1, the locking member 2() lies squarely behind the `steel balls 15 holding them in the notches 14'in .the shackle 13 so that the latter cannot be withdrawn fronrthe body of the lock.

When the locking kmember 20 is screwed into the plugr 18 asshown in Fig. 3, the steel balls 15 are free to move inwardlyy so as to permit the shackle 13 to be withdrawn. Vith the shackle withdrawn the balls 15 are retained in the'pockets 16 by means of collars 30 which have openings whichk are somewhat smaller than the balls.

The rotatable sleeve 23 is provided with one or more pins 31 which project inwardly and which engage corresponding slots 32 in the shank 25 of the key. By varying the number and size and arrangement of the pins 31 and their corresponding slots 32 as Well as the shapes of the extension 26 of the key and of its corresponding opening 27, a great number of keys may be provided none of which will fit in any other lock than the one for Which it is intended.

It Will be noted that both the member 2l and the 'sleeve 23 are madel freely rotatable so that when an instrument of any kind is inserted the instrument bears not upon thev locking member Q0 but upon the rotatable member 2l, or possibly upon the ball '28 which also is rotatable.k Thus it Will be seen that the locking member 2O 4cannot be reached from the outside ofthe lock to be turnedeXcept by a key or the like which is able to move the ball 28 to one sifde so as to permit the key to be inserted into the splined opening 27.

Tol further insure aga-inst Athe, locking member 2()l being moved except by the proper key", I have provided in the face of the membery 2O a depression 33 which is adapted to encounter a plug 34 Which is pressed by a spring 35 IWhen the locking member 20 is screwedy intothe full locking depth as shown in Fig. 1.

All of the exposed portions of this lock are treated as by pack hardening and the like so asto render them file proof. rlhe result is a lock, Which, While inexpensiveto manufacture, is very effective and particularly burglar proof.

While I have shown and described but a single embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of many modifications.' Changes, therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be made Which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the. invention as disclosed in the appending claims. l

What I claim is nevil and desire to secure by LettersPatent, iszi l. A lock'comprising a U-shaped shackle, a body having parallel openings adapted to receive the ends of said shackle, a notch in one of the ends of said shackle, a ball adapted to engage said notch, movable means for securing said ball in engagement with said notch, and a rotatable member in said movable means to prevent a tool other than the key from being inserted into said means to' turn the same.

2. lockcomprising a U-shaped shackle a' bodyhaving parallel openings adapted to receive the ends of said shackle, a notch in oneof the ends of said shackle, a ball, a rotatable sleeve in the body through Which the key passes, saidy sleeve and key having complementary mating portions, and a rotatable member in said rotatable sleeve to prevent a tool other than the key from being kinserted into said means to turn the same.

3. A lock comprising a U-shaped shackle, a body having' parallelv openings adapted to receive theends of said shackle, a notch in each of the ends of said shackle, balls held in the body and adapted to engage the notches when they shackle is inserted into said openings, movable means for locking said balls in engagement With said notches, and a rotatable member in said movable means to prevent a tool other than the key from being inserted into said means to turn the same.

l. A lock comprising a U-shaped shackle,

av'body having parallel openings adapted to receive the ends of said shackle, a notch in each of the ends of said shackle, balls held in the body and adapted to engage the notches when the shackle is insertedinto said openings, a rotatable sleeve in the body through which the key passes, said sleeve and key having complementary mating portions, and a rotatable member in said movable sleeve, to prevent a tool other than ythe key from being inserted into said ymeansto turn the same.

5. A lock comprising a U-shaped shackle, a body having parallel openings adapted to receive the ends of said shackle, a notch in one of the ends of said shackle, a ball, Va member rotatable to lock said ball in said notch, said member having a central opening adapted to receive a key, a movable element adapted to prevent a toolother than the key from being inserted into said member to turn the same, said key and central opening beyond said ball having complementary engaging surfaces.

6. A lock comprising a U-shaped shackle, a body having parallel openings adapted to receive the ends of said shackle, a notch in one of the ends of said shackle, a ball, a member movable endvvise to lock said ball in said notch, said member having a central opening adapted to receive a key having an 7inclinedend, a movable element guarding said opening against tools other than said key, and said key and central opening beyond said ball having complementary engaging surfaces.

7. A lock comprising a U-shaped shackle, a body havingparallel openings adapted to receive the ends of said shackle, a notch in one of the ends of said shackle, a ball, a member screw threaded into a fixed part of the body and having a portion adapted to lock'said ball in said notch, said member having a'central opening adapted to receive a key,`and a movable element guarding said opening, said key and central opening beyond said ball having complementary engaging surfaces.

v 8. A lock comprisingV aU-shaped shackle, a bodyY having ,parallel openings adapted to receive the ends o'f said shackle, a notch in one of the ends of said shackle, a ball, a member rotatable to lock said ball in said notch, said member having a central opening NELS G. JOHNSON. 

